Archive for the 'Fly Fish Babe' Category
Elkhorn Ladies Series T Fly Reel
The Pink Series Elkhorn Fly Rod
ELKHORN FLY ROD & REEL & Project Healing Waters
Women Fly Fishers Long Ago
No, nothing complicated or intriguing to say re women fly fishing. I thought the poster was symbolic of times past and those women that ventured into the sport in a place far away. Did they tag along with the ‘bums’ of the past? They weren’t pushing a piece for Vanity Fair. They probably weren’t of celebrity status and spoon fed by some guide (least I want to believe that). Just ahead of their times and however they got there, I like it. Many of us pickup a rod to be near those we admire, love or just like to be around. The passion for this sport only ignites for one’s self once you internally get it. Once you are self contained and passionate about the experience then it doesn’t matter who led you to the water. You get it and need it.
Berdie Judd has decided to move to just outside of Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK and reside with Charles Bradford, a well traveled researcher, who has spent much of his adult life categorizing insects and aquatic creatures in SE Europe.
Berdie recently appeared on a podcast to provide new details regarding her literary aspirations. She wants to write and publish a series of books about her travels and escapades. Judd believes that her life experiences offer up wisdom and solace for other women, who travel about in pursuit of fish, while in a predominantly male sport and business culture.
Judd was asked by the podcast moderator if her forays into nudity in France and the United States detracted from her stature as an advocate for women to enter into fly fishing competition and participate in the marketing of the sport. Judd remarked that perhaps her critics sell women short. Judd believes women can sort out life’s ups and downs. Women understand the yearnings to experience life beyond the expected confines for most women.
Berdie Judd was asked if she had been fishing lately. She answered she had just recently fished near home on the rivers Avon and Nadder. She has slowly converted her partner, Bradford, over to fly fishing and enjoys his company exploring their new world around Salisbury in Wiltshire. Berdie and Charles are entertaining joining The Salisbury & District Angling Club. Berdie promises to keep a very low profile. We shall see…………….. Many thanks for the update Berdie.
18
Jan
11
Fly Fishing: April’s New Site
Just in case you have been tucked away in a bat cave sans Wi Fi? I think in some parts (many parts) of the fly fishing arena you could say April and have the same knowing awareness as Oprah (tsk tsk)
April & Flygal Up
By no means is my weather comparable to what is pounding the East. It is 30 degrees out and my rig is encased in ice this morning, a by product of freezing rain and living close to Troutdale (Oregon) and the Gorge. Temps are promised to rise to the mid 40′s by 9am. Don’t think so, but sometime soon.
So, my mind wanders to a peaceful Summer afternoon on a lake, moving about the edges with Damsels flitting about. Warmth and fruitful calculations. Observations that can be worked upon. My recent chuck and chance it forays into the Spey world are more like casting with a hood on right now, so the day dream of warmth and certainty is appealing. Only five or so more months to go…….
Love the Damsel (TMuncy~SwittersB)
Damsels Delight Others Too (SwittersB)
10
Jan
11
Fly Fishing Nymphing Primer
Bertie Judd at the Pinnacle of her Career (SwittersB)
Once again, Berdie Judd, the renowned UK (Ravenglass, Cumbria) fly fisher has inserted herself amidst a cultural calamity and in her favorite haunt, of late, France. In April, I wrote of Berdie’s involvement in protests in France. This time she is caught up in the nudists v. libertines dispute in Cap d’Agde, reputedly the largest nudist colony in Europe. Press accounts are sketchy as to whether Berdie is on the side of the nudists or the libertines.
” At this week’s Cap d’Agde council meeting, the protests took a more peaceful form. Old-fashioned nudists complained that they, and their children, were being confronted with “voyeurist” and “exhibitionist” behaviour, including sexual acts in public. Worse, they suggested, the “deviant” newcomers sometimes walked about in their clothes and mocked the “real” nudists.“ … “We didn’t invent partner-swapping or libertine behaviour in Cap d’Agde. This has been a social trend for 10 years,” the centre-right mayor and parliamentary deputy said. “I refuse to make value judgements on the sexual habits of other people. I can’t put a policeman behind all 40,000 nudists.” (more)
Knowing Berdie’s penchant for nudity, I would say she has sided with the nudists. Her deviation from international fly fishing competition has left a void for women fly fishers everywhere.
14
Sep
10
Fly Fishing: April Vokey said……
SwittersB
Apparently, the tensions of the sport have prompted April Vokey to offer a reminder that is clearly honed down to the essence. In an era of incessant manipulation of class envy, I think this is often blue collar v. white collar for want of a better analogy (at least in my circle). The new breed of NW fly anglers are decidedly not white collar, so the conflict must stem from a technique/status angle not as familiar to me. Anyway, she said:
“For the truly great angler, whether they fish a fly or conventional gear, is proud to be an eternal student and strives to read every drop of flowing water and deliver every drift or swing with flawless presentation...Ultimately, presentation is key….Similar to the lengthy travels of these sea-run beauties, the aspiring angler will most likely take a metaphorical trip of their own. Facing obstacles of indecision and uncertainty, it is advancement down a long and endless road that I call…. “The Journey of a Steelheader”. FlyGal & April Vokey
I, for one, am fascinated by the ladies of the sport. Yes, yes, April is appealing as are the ladies that move in and out of her blog. But, every now and then, out of the fish porn, promotions and glitz, she and other women like Adrienne Comeau write about the sport in a different way. You read their perspective and notice a different angle, a different construction of thought that is refreshing.
The Damsel Flies of Oregon matched fly fishing wits against the Metolius River’s fish and took in the beauty and calm surroundings. Joan McCreery, Darlene Kline-Dolby and Maryam Alagheband had a splendid time doing what women do so well in club outings: sharing, catching fish, relaxing and supporting one another, forming bonds and memories. What a beautiful fish. A black flying ant pattern may have done the trick on this beauty. Hatch Chart/Suggestions
Metolius River Bow Brought to Hand by Joan McCreery (M. Alagheband)
The trio walked many miles and worked nymphs and dries. The Metolius River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Northwest U.S. and is a challenge to all anglers. Joan’s fish was just rewards for all the hiking the trio did over the weekend.
Joan McCreery on the Metolius River, Oregon
Damsel Flies: Joan, Darlene & Maryam at Camp Sherman, Oregon
Putting Your Feet Up (M. Alaghebans)
